To find the best motherboards available for your PC, we took the time to research the factors that make each unit shine, including their CPU compatibility, maximum supported memory, internal connections, and overall form factor. Depending on whether you are selecting an AMD or Intel CPU, you will need to make sure that the board you choose will support it, but either way, we have an option for you. No matter what accessories or internal components you need connecting, we’ll explain which motherboards are best likely to suit your needs. If you are also interested in finding other great PC and laptop components, you can find great options in our best computer accessories guide.
In our research, we found the best motherboard to be ASUS’ ROG Strix B450-F; this gaming motherboard is built with power in mind, supporting AMD’s Ryzen CPUs. The board itself can support up to 64GB of memory (RAM) for intensive multi-tasking, gaming, or production workflows. As a bonus, this ATX size motherboard offers ASUS’ Aura Sync RGB lighting, so you can synchronize your board’s light effects using the included software. Keep reading to find the best motherboard for your needs. Whether you’re looking for the AMD crossfire, or something a little more basic, we will have a motherboard that supports your needs.
Top 5 Best Motherboards
#1 ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Motherboard
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: The ROG Strix B450-F delivers the power of an exceptional motherboard, able to handle AMD’s latest Ryzen CPU with up to 64GB of RAM, and includes distinctive styling with Aura Sync RGB lighting.
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- Supports AMD Ryzen CPUs
- Maximum 64GB memory (RAM)
- Features ASUS Aura Sync lighting
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- No Intel CPU support
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If you’re seeking out the best motherboard, look no further than the ASUS ROG Strix B450-F. Designed to work with AMD’s B450 chipset, the board supports the latest hyper-fast AMD Ryzen CPUs for intensive gaming and challenging workloads. Need extra memory to get the job done faster? The Strix B450-F includes four RAM slots, capable of supporting up to 64GB of DDR4-3200 MHz memory. ASUS also consists of a good internal port selection with dual M.2 slots for high-speed SSDs and a plethora of PCIe expansion slots. You won’t be disappointed with this ASUS motherboard.
We particularly love the styling on this ASUS ROG motherboard, as any gamer knows, it isn’t a real gaming motherboard unless it lights up with style. To get you in the spotlight, Aura Sync RGB technology is built into the board, allowing you to synchronize lighting effects from your PC. We would have loved to see an Intel option for this board, but it seems that AMD fans win out this time. The ASUS ROG stands as the best AMD motherboard on our list. If you are into VR, read about the best computer for VR and get in the game. While this motherboard does not have PCLe4.0, you will still be happy with it. For an upgrade, you should take a look at the LGA 1151 instead. If you are also searching for a quality controller to play Fortnite on your PC, check out our guide to the best PC controllers.
#2 MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max Motherboard
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: MSI provides a solid motherboard with AMD Ryzen 3000 support, while adding on valuable upgrades, including high-quality audio components for better sound and reinforced connectors for reliability.
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- Boost tech improves CPU efficiency
- Dedicated audio amplifier & capacitors
- Reliable reinforced connectors
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- RAM install can be difficult
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MSI’s B450 Gaming Plus Max motherboard is aimed squarely at the hearts of intense gamers, but in doing so, the company has created a product that is exceptional for all users. If you’re looking for a monitor to upgrade your gaming performance, look no further. Supporting AMD Ryzen CPUs and up to 64GB of RAM, the B450 can push out the power when needed. We especially like that MSI has paid attention to its audio circuitry, isolating the amplifier and high-quality audio capacitors from the rest of the board. The result of this design is high-quality audio that is usually only heard via similar external setups. These features make this one of the best motherboards on the market.
We also appreciate MSI’s attention to detail and reliability, as they have chosen to secure the internal PCI Express slots with extra solder to help support the weight of more massive graphics cards over time. MSI has also added all the tidbits you would expect, including a CPU-efficient power system to improve CPU efficiency and turbo M.2 slots for SSDs. Multiple users noted that RAM could be a bit difficult to install on the board, but once running, everything works well. A good motherboard and the best Logitech webcam will make for a powerful streaming setup. This is definitely one of the best gaming motherboards on our list. If you want to upgrade your motherboard, you should also consider the Aurous Gigabyte Z390 instead.
#3 Gigabyte B450M DS3H Motherboard
Award: BEST BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Gigabyte shows that an affordable motherboard with standout features, including support for AMD’s Ryzen processors and four DRR4 RAM modules, can be within reach thanks to the B450M DS3H.
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- Smart Fan technology for adaptive cooling
- Quality components & humidity protection
- Integrated RGB LED Strip support
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- Limited & outdated BIOS
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If you’re on the lookout for an excellent motherboard that won’t have your wallet crying, Gigabyte’s B450M DS3H is a superb option. Featuring support for AMD’s Ryzen processor architecture and up to 64GB of memory, this motherboard delivers capabilities similar to its more expensive rivals. Gigabyte has even thrown in a few of its exciting technologies, including Smart Fan 5, a technology that allows users to change fan headers to cool their PC better, and an integrated RGB LED header for plugging in an LED strip with support for up to seven colors.
Gigabyte has also taken the time to ensure that its product is highly durable thanks to anti-sulfur transistors, plated power connectors, and a humidity protection glass fabric; all upgrades that allow your system to keep running without worry. The one factor we didn’t care for was Gigabyte’s seemingly outdated and limited BIOS that we found restrictive for overclocking and performance tweaking. If you’re interested in the best gaming motherboard, take a look at Gigabyte X570. Don’t forget the best gaming mousepad for your gaming needs.
#4 ASRock X399 Taichi Motherboard
Award: BEST PERFORMANCE
WHY WE LIKE IT: ASRock delivers top-tier performance with the X399 Taichi; it supports AMD’s Threadripper CPU series for maximum performance as well as up to a staggering 128GB of DD4 high-speed memory.
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- Support AMD Threadripper CPU
- Massive 128GB memory support
- Integrated 7.1 HD audio with DTS
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- Prohibitively expensive
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If you need performance, ASRock brings the heat with its X399 Taichi motherboard; this beast can handle AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper series CPUs for the ultimate computing experience. The high-powered motherboard doesn’t end there; the X399 also slots up to eight RAM modules for a jaw-dropping 128GB of memory. Connectors onboard also include 3 Ultra M.2 slots for high-speed SSDs, a range of PCIe slots with support for Nvidia 4-Way SLI, integrated 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and USB-C support.
ASRock even went as far as to include support for 7.1 Channel HD Audio powered by Realtek and DTS Connect, both enabling you to enjoy a full home-theatre surround sound setup right from your PC. We wish everyone could grab the ASRock X399 Taichi for the ultimate experience, but the one downside is that the unit is prohibitively expensive for most individuals. If you’re going to spend the money, you may also want one of the best computer cases for protection. However, with all its power, the ASRock is the best motherboard for gaming. When it comes to storage and gaming, you might want the best external SSD for more portability. For another motherboard on the market consider Coffee Lake motherboards.
#5 EVGA Z390 FTW
Award: BEST FOR INTEL CPUS
WHY WE LIKE IT: EVGA delivers with the Z390 FTW, using Intel’s Z390 chipset the motherboard supports Intel’s Core 8th and 9th generation CPUs. The Z390 even supports up to 64GB of RAM for maximum performance.
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- Supports Intel Core CPUs
- Easy to install motherboard
- Includes 11-total USB ports
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- EVGA support is questionable
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If you’re more of an Intel fan, EVGA’s Z390 FTW motherboard delivers performance and reliability while supporting the company’s Core 8th and 9th generation CPUs. Memory isn’t a limiting factor here either, as the board supports up to 64GB of high-speed RAM. We liked that the EVGA board is easy to install and includes everything you need to get started, including the required screws, SATA cables, and even an Nvidia SLI bridge for setting up multiple graphic card gaming.
We were also happy to see that EVGA provided an array of USB ports, including six USB 2.0 ports and 5 USB 3.1 ports. We would have preferred the majority of the ports to be USB 3.0 or higher, but the quantity is sufficient. The one issue we have with the Z390 FTW is the reported lack of support from EVGA when problems occur, although thankfully, that doesn’t appear to be too often. This is the best Intel motherboard on our list. The EVGA is the best motherboard for i5 and i7 CPUs on our list. For another Intel motherboard option, take a look at Intel z390 Auroras. Choosing a motherboard is a lot harder than choosing the best printer paper, but it is worth the effort. What about keyboards? Find some great recommendations in our best keyboard guide.
How We Decided
When selecting the best motherboards, we wanted to ensure that we set strict criteria, ensuring only the best options were presented to you, the reader. We began by examining the crucial elements of any motherboard, including the CPU compatibility, maximum supported memory, provided internal connections, and overall form-factor. We knew that each factor is as critical as the last, so we made sure that anything not meeting our standards was instantly removed from our list.
When it came down to CPU compatibility, we ensured that we provided both AMD and Intel options on our list so that you could pick the manufacturer of your preference. Additionally, each board supports the latest CPUs from AMD Ryzen to Intel Core 8th and 9th generation CPUs — no option here is outdated or underpowered. We also ensured the minimum supported memory for each board was 64GB, to allow for high-performance now or upgradability soon.
Making sure you can connect your new high-speed SSDs, and high-powered graphics cards is always a concern, so we ensured that each motherboard we selected included both M.2 slots and PCIe expansion options. All of our selections also feature standard SATA connectors for the connection of standard mechanical hard drives. When it comes to form-factor, all of the options on our list fit ATX-style cases and larger. With ATX being the standard case size for most builds, we ensured your favorite motherboard would fit. With one of these best motherboards, you may want to also consider grabbing a Linkup USB 3.0 (3.1 Gen 2) TO EEP EVERYTHING RUNNING SMOOTHLY). You might also want to consider a motherboard with form factor ATX technology if you want the best functioning motherboard.
Best Motherboards Buyer’s Guide
Features
- CPU Compatibility: When shopping for a motherboard, one of the essential factors is whether the board will be compatible with your CPU of choice. First, check whether the motherboard supports AMD or Intel CPUs, then be sure to verify that the socket-type on the CPU matches the same socket on the motherboard for compatibility.
- Maximum Memory: If you’re looking to trick out your system with 128GB of RAM, make sure that your motherboard can support it. All of our selections can feature an impressive 64GB of RAM minimum, but make sure the board you purchase will fulfill your memory needs. While most users will only need 16-32GB of RAM, buying a board with a larger capacity is excellent future-proofing.
- Internal Connections: Your motherboard acts as almost a type of highway for the rest of your computer components, allowing them to connect and communicate. Ensure that every graphics card, audio card, hard drive, solid-state drive, or other part has a connector that matches what is provided by your board. Standard connectors include PCIe for graphics cards, SATA for hard drives, and M.2 slots for high-speed SSDs. It’s important to know the different kinds of sockets used in motherboards, from Socket LGA to PGA. IF you’re looking for the most upgraded software consider the LGA 2066.
- Form Factor: Computer cases have different form-factors with ATX being the most common, and thus what has been featured prominently throughout our list. Smaller Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, and Nano-ITX boards can fit into standard ATX cases, but not vice-versa. Be sure the case size you have will support the motherboard form-factor you select.
